Improvement in apparatus for refining iron and making steel



Patented Nov. 24, 1868.

N.PSTER5, PHDTO-LLTHGGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D. C.

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'gatmtltwa te" www Jo'HN ABsrERDAM, 'or NEW YORK, N. Y.

' Letters Patent No. 84,33, dated Noocmber 24, 1868.

'MFROV'ENIENT IN APPARATUS FOR REFINING- IRON .AND MAKING STEL.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, J oHN ABsTEnDAM, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and improved Apparatus for Refining Iron and Making Steel in vacuo and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming partrof this specification, which drawing represents a sectional side elevation of this invention.

This invention relates to an apparatus which I have found to be of Aparticular advantage in carrying out a process for refining iron and making steel in vacuo, for which a patent was granted to me, January 23, 1866, No. 52,121. This improved apparatus consists inthe arrangement of an adjustable nozzle, which extends across the mouth of the pipe that connects with the converter or reiiner, and terminates opposite to a conical' spout, in such a manner, that, by passing a cinrent of steam through said nozzle, a partial vacuum is produced in the converter, and, by adjusting the position of the nozzle in relation tothe discharge-spout, the effect ofthe exhauster can be regulated according to the heat to which the nozzle is exposed,and according to the degree of the vacuum desired. A vacuum-gauge attached to the eX- hauster indicates the state of the vacuum in the converter.

A represents a'retort, which is intended for converting iron into steel, or for ren'in g iron, and which I term tal -position, as may be required during the subsequent stages of the refining or converting-process.

The neck of the converter is curved, as shown, so

that, when the same is brought in the position shown in the drawing, it will match the langeb of thesuc- .tion-pipe C.

When the apparatus is in operation, the suction-pipe is firmly secured to the neck of the converter, andthe joint between'the two parts is rendered air-tight by suitable packing.

The suction-pipe C extends from the globe-shaped chamber '1), into one`.side of whiclris secured the spoilt E, while through its opposite side enters the nozzle F.

The spout E is conical, its largest end being turned outward; and the axis of this spout coincides with the prolongation of the axis of the nozzle, so that a jet of steam, injected through said nozzle, will strike the centre of the spout.

The nozzle AF is a cylindrical tube, which passes f `through a stuffing-box, d, in the side ofthe chamber D, and whichis secured to a tubular plunger, G.

This plunger is open at one epd', and it is fitted into a cylinder, H, which is supported byrayoke, I', attached tothe outside ofthe chamber D.

The outer end of thisicylinder is closed by a stuffingbox, e, through which passes the screw-spindle J, the inner end of which is attached toa bridge, f, on the open end of the plunger G, while its threaded part is tapped iuto the screw-cap or gland of the stuffing-box e, and ou its outer end is mounted-a hand-wheel, g.

The connection between the screw-spindle and the bridge j' is such that the spindle is ee to turn in the bridge, but it is not permitted'to move therein in the direction of its axis, and, consequently, :by turning. the screw-spindle in the gland of the stuing-box c, the plunger G, and with it the nozzle F'is drawn in or out, according to the direction in which the hand-wheel g is turned.

In the side of the cylinder lzl is secured the steampipe K, which connects with a suitable steam-generator, and which can be opened or closed by a stop-cock.

To the suction-pipe C is secured a vacuum-gauge, L.

When the apparatus is to be put in operation, and after the converter A has been charged with` metal and connected with the flange of the suction-pipe, the steampipe K is opened, and the'steam, rushing through the nozzle F, and out through theI spout E, carries with it a portion of the air contained in the converter, so that a partial vacuum is produced therein, and if the plugs,

in the bottom ofthe converter'are removed, a current of air is caused to pass through the molten metal by suction, in contra-distinction to theimpelled current of air as now employed inthe Bessemer process. As the operation progresses, the nozzle F becomes heated, andthe steam, in passing through it, is superheated, so that its pressure, and consequently its air-exhausting e'ect, are changed. This effect can be observed by the vacuum-gauge, and in order to obtain the best possible effect, .it is necessaryto move thenozzle F in or out until the desired vacuum is attained.

Instead of making the nozzle adjustable, however, the spout E could be mad'e adjustable, the eifect of the apparatus being dependent upon the distance of the inner end of the nozzle F, and the narrowest portion of drawing.

As these lines approach, or are moved apart, the exhausting effect of the jet of steam changes. It" the spout is made adjustable, the nozzle F remains stationary, and all the mechanism shown for moving the same can be .dispensed with, but a hand-wheel or other device niust be connected to -the spout.

The position of the nozzle is; adjusted by turning the hand-wheel G, and, in order to prevent the cylinderI-I and plungerG from getting overheated, I have secured the same in the yoke I, which allows a free circulation of air round the cylinder.

During the process of rening or converting iron, a large quantity of cinders and other solid impurities is 'disengaged from the molten metal and carried off by the current of air, and I propose to provide the suctionpipe G with a reservoir, as shown in red outlines, for the purpose of catching and retaining such ciuders and inipurities, so as not to obstruct the spout E.

By the aid of this air-exhaustingapparatus, I am enabled to carry out my process for refining iron and making steel, as described in my patent dated Januaryl,

1866, No. 52,121, with great success.

Itis obvious, that, in carrying out my presentinvention, the forni of l"the converter may be changed as circumstances may make desirable, and I do not wish to confine myself to the precise form or shape of the converter shown in the drawing.

Having thus described my invent-ion,

'hnt l claim as new` and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination ot' thiA nozzle F and conical spout E, either one or both of' \\-'hiclr1nay be made movablel towards or from each other, with the suction-pipe C and com 'erter A, substantially as and for the purpose herein lshown and described.

JOHN ABSTERDAM 'itnesses: i

W'. HAUFF, F. F. KASTENHUBER. 

